UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced yesterday the appointment of Sigrid Kaag, a former deputy prime minister of the Netherlands and a Mideast expert, as the UN coordinator to expedite humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza. “In this role, she will facilitate, coordinate, monitor, and verify humanitarian relief consignments to Gaza,” the UN chief said. “She will also establish a United Nations mechanism to accelerate humanitarian relief consignments to Gaza through states which are not party to the conflict.” Guterres said Kaag “brings a wealth of experience in political, humanitarian and development affairs as well as in diplomacy” to her new job, which she is expected to begin on Jan. 8.